Last Updated on 18/04/2022 by Miki
Time to find the best winter coffee recipes? As the weather gets cooler, we tend to crave warmer drinks. Actually, I have hot coffee all through the year, so “winter coffee” is “any season coffee” for me. I love spices such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger and star anise. When I used to order a cappuccino at cafes, I always requested extra cinnamon on top. I still remember I was shocked to find out that a cup of cappuccino was served with chocolate powder on top instead of cinnamon when I ordered one here in Australia for the first time. I learned that I needed to ask for cinnamon instead, otherwise they just sprinkle chocolate powder on top. Since I discovered a flat white, I always order it when I feel like a white coffee, so no more hassle.
What is “Winter Coffee?”
There are few things as cozy as a cup of winter coffee. Whether you’re brewing up a pot to keep warm or sipping on a cappuccino to celebrate the season, winter coffee is the perfect way to enjoy the colder months. But what exactly is winter coffee? Traditionally, winter coffee is a blend of coffee beans that are roasted a bit longer to produce a richer, more full-bodied flavour. This bolder flavour is perfect for sipping on a cold day, and the extra roasting helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the beans.
The 5 Best Winter Coffee Recipes
Winter Spiced Coffee
First, let me share the “winter spiced coffee” recipe. It’s full of benefits from spices used due to warming effects on our body. If you love spices like me, you will enjoy this winter coffee.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tbs ground coffee
- 1/2 tsp combination of ground cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger and star anise
Method:
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee and half a teaspoon of the combination of ground cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger and star anise (according to your preference) in the bottom of a French press.
- Pour approximately 350ml of hot water (just below the boiling point) int to the French press.
- Let it stand for 5 minutes, then slowly plunge the coffee.
- You can serve it as it is if you like your coffee black or you can add some warm frothed milk.
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a decadent drink as it contains alcohol – Irish whiskey! It’s also served with whipped cream, which makes it an even more perfect winter coffee for richness. You can make it at home by following this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- 4-6 oz freshly brewed strong coffee
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
- whipped cream
Method:
- Prepare 4-6 oz of freshly brewed hot strong coffee (medium to dark roasted beans are preferred) while preheating a serving glass by filling it with hot water.
- Empty the glass and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
- Pour the coffee over the sugar and stir thoroughly until dissolved.
- Add 1.5 oz of Irish whiskey and stir again.
- Top with lightly whipped cream by pouring gently over the coffee.
You might want to make it even creamier and richer by substituting Irish cream for some of the whiskey. Speaking of Irish cream, my first experience was during my international flight a long time ago. I wasn’t sure what the drink was, but some people were having it and I was curious and I wanted to try it just for my experience. I’m glad I did! It was really rich and creamy and it was a perfect after-dinner drink.
Eggnog Latte
An eggnog latte is one of the most popular winter drinks. Personally, I’m not familiar with eggnog at all and I have researched what exactly it is.
According to Wikipedia, eggnog is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites and egg yolks. Throughout Canada and the United States, eggnog is traditionally consumed over the Christmas season, from late October until the end of the holiday season.
It does sound like a typical winter drink and I’m sure an eggnog latte should be included in one of my best winter coffee choices. From a coffee lover’s point of view, the addition of coffee to eggnog would make normal eggnog even better! Please check out the following simple recipe for a homemade eggnog latte.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbs sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup freshly brewed strong coffee
- 1 tbs brown sugar
Method:
- Prepare eggnog first by combining 1 cup of milk, a half cup of heavy cream, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 3 egg yolks, a half teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook the eggnog on the stove for approximately 10-15 minutes until it is slightly thickened (Do not boil it and you should whisk vigorously if it gets close to boiling).
- Remove from heat and stir in a half teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Prepare 1 cup of freshly brewed strong coffee of your choice and stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Pour the eggnog (warm it up if it is not warm) into the brewed coffee.
- Sprinkle some ground nutmeg for garnish and enjoy!
Gingerbread Latte
I love ginger in both savoury and sweet. I use crushed ginger in stir fry and ground ginger in baking. Ginger definitely warms us up and using this spice in winter coffee is perfect for the cooler weather. Why not make a cup of gingerbread latte? Here is a recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz espresso
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbs molasses
- 1&1/4 cups milk
Method:
- Pull 4 shots (4oz) of espresso.
- Heat 1/4 cup of milk, 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and ginger, 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and cloves, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of molasses in a small saucepan over medium heat until all the spices and sugars dissolve.
- Remove from heat and stir in the hot espresso.
- Pour evenly into two mugs.
- Steam or froth 1 and 1/4 cups of milk with preferably an espresso machine (you can warm it by using an electric milk frother, on the stove or in the microwave) and pour it between the two mugs.
- Spoon gently on the frothy milk on top and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Last but not least, here comes a pumpkin spice latte. This winter coffee might be actually fallen into the autumn coffee category instead of winter, but I don’t think it really matters as long as it’s delicious. I love anything with pumpkin anyways.
As globally well-known, Starbucks introduced a pumpkin spice latte in 2003 and it has been popular among dedicated fans. It reminds us of the beginning of autumn when a pumpkin spice latte becomes available at Starbucks. But did you know that making it at home wouldn’t be difficult at all? Let’s check out the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs pumpkin puree
- 2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 2 tsp sugar.
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or equal amounts of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Method:
- Prepare 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree (you can roast a pumpkin for homemade puree or use tinned pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie mix).
- Pull double shots of espresso (you can substitute with 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee).
- Add the pumpkin puree, the espresso, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice (if you don’t have it, just combine equal parts of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice), 1/2 cup whole milk into a small saucepan.
- Stir frequently over medium heat until hot (DO NOT boil).
- Pour into your preferred mug and garnish with whipped creams and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of winter coffee recipes to choose from – from the classic cup of cocoa with marshmallows to the popular peppermint mocha! There are many options that will warm you up on a cool winter day. My favourite would be winter spiced coffee as I love spices and prefer coffee without milk. Let me know what’s your favourite winter coffee in a comment below 🙂
